People of the Land

Chapter 4 - The Festival

A man stepped out from the shade of the forest as the sun started to set behind him. He walked up to the chakra-powered voicebox that had been set up for him, placed his hand on it, and with a big and kind smile, he spoke loudly and clearly in Nem.

"Welcome to this years October 10th performance!" He paused as the crowd erupted into applause, and Hinata noted the lightness in this voice and expression. "I am Whispering Guardian, the current head of the tribe, and I will be guiding you all through the performance tonight. First of all, we wish to thank the Royal Family of the Land of Fire for allowing us to travel through their country as we make our way back home. We also wish to dedicate this performance to the Lost Heir, Prince Naruto. May he come home from his long journey to the loving family awaiting him." There was a moment of silence as all the people in the audience, bowed their heads at the reminder of the more melancholy reason for the festival. When Hinata looked up again, she could have sworn that she saw tears in the eyes of the Queen Kushina as Whispering Guardian looked straight at her.

After allowing a sorrowful moment, the Yaunkur leader slid a jolly smile back onto his face and continued.

"You have all been kept waiting long enough. We will start off by sharing with you one of our tribe's favorite legends, The Demon's Heart."

He bowed and moved off the stage, and the forest exploded with movement.

The forest looked so alive that it seemed as if the trees themselves were moving and swaying along with the steady drum beat that sounded from beyond. A small figure burst out from the leaves, wearing the most colorful costume Hinata had ever seen. The figure was covered with bright feathers and wore a mask over his face. The mask was streaked with colors, making it look like it was covered in feathers too, and its features were twisted and demented.

The boy leapt into action, his shoulders hunched and back bent, hands out like claws in front of him, knees bent and apart, and toes curled up. He shuffled in a sort of hop jump to one side, keeping the same stance, and then moved his shoulders up and down in sharp movements, all the while following the constant beating of the drum. He then kept one foot firmly on the ground while lifting the other and spun halfway, so that his back was facing the audience. Spreading his legs apart, he spun slowly and rigidly step by step in a circle following the harsh and wild beat of the drum. Then with one last twirl he leapt back into the forest. Hinata was mesmerized by his short performance and the whirl of colors that appeared when he spun.

Only a few moments after the demon left the stage the forest churned again, the leaves shaking and the trees seemingly twisting and turning. Then many men, women, and children came out of the left side of the forest, opposite from where the demon had disappeared. They were dressed in the clothing of simple villagers, but their faces shone with joy and happiness as they twirled and danced across the stage, people of all sizes dancing with each other, and some children dancing in large circles together. Again, all the while they followed the beating drum, which had become steadier and gentler since the demon left. They sang, or at least they seemed to. Their mouths were not moving to shape words or let any sound out, and there wasn't really any words or sound at all. Even so, Hinata felt a song weaving in the air, and in her very bones. She smiled a bright smile along with all of the villagers on the stage.

But then, the air changed into something sinister and evil. All of the villagers froze in fear as the brightly colored demon leapt back out of the forest. Hinata was terrified, terrified for the villagers even though she knew that they were really just some of the Yaunkur people acting as villagers. They were good.